Within this information, we may use the terms "woman" and "women". However, we recognise that not only people who identify as women may want to access this content. Your care should be personalised, inclusive and sensitive to your needs, whatever your gender identity.
Most women become aware of their baby moving between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. This could be a gentle flutter to start with, then become stronger and develop into kicks as your pregnancy progresses.
If you haven’t felt your baby move by 24 weeks of pregnancy, please contact your midwife immediately.
Being pregnant means you are the expert in your baby’s movements. You are the one who can feel and understand them. If at any time you feel a change in strength or frequency, slowing down or a change in the pattern, please attend your maternity unit for assessment immediately.
Please don’t hesitate to contact your maternity unit if you have any fetal movement concerns. Our pregnancy and maternity assessment units are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Maternity Assessment Centre, Good Hope Hospital
Pregnancy Assessment Emergency Room, Heartlands Hospital
Warning
Please do not use hand held monitors, dopplers or phone apps to check on your baby. If you have any concerns, please contact a midwife, who is trained to detect any concerning issues with your baby.
If you are still not happy with your baby’s movements, or they become reduced again, please contact your midwife or maternity unit immediately, even if everything was normal and okay last time you got checked.
Tommy’s is a charity organisation committed to saving babies’ lives. Together with NHS England, they have produced a leaflet titled "Feeling your baby move is a sign that they are well". This leaflet is available to download in a range of languages from the Tommy's website.
Last reviewed: 28 December 2022
